Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana is one of the most important Yoga poses.
It is also referred to as the 'Cobra Pose'. The asana concentrates on
strengthening the back and arms, by stretching the spine. A backward
bending asana, it is beneficial for the chest and the heart, apart from
having many physical and psychological benefits on the health. On the
completion of the asana, the person doing it appears like a hooded
cobra, with a raised trunk, neck and head. Read on to get complete
information on the technique to do Bhujangasana, its health benefits and
the people who should not attempt to do this asana.

How To Do Cobra Yoga Pose

To start the pose, lie down on your stomach, on a flat surface,
say, floor. Make sure you relax all the muscles completely. Rest
your forehead on the floor.

Now, put your legs together and position your arms below the
corresponding sides of your shoulder, close to your body. The hands
should be placed beside your chest.

Now, start inhaling slowly. Keep inhaling and then raise your
upper body (trunk), including your chest and head, to the maximum
extent possible. Raise your trunk slowly, without creating any jerk.
Do this just as a cobra raises its hood.

By doing the above step, you will gradually feel the bending of
the vertebrae one by one and feel the pressure traveling downwards
from the cervical, dorsal and lumbar regions and lastly to the
sacral regions.

While doing this, your head and chest should be positioned
upwards.

In order to attain the full form of Bhujangasana, known as Poorna
Bhujangasana, raise your legs, bent at the knees, backwards and try
to touch the toes to the back of your head.

In order to release the posture, get back to the original
position, by exhaling slowly and bringing down your trunk smoothly
down to the floor.

You may repeat the exercise for five times.

For the beginners, taking the help of their arms to raise the
upper body is beneficial.

Health Benefits Of Bhujangasana

Relieves muscular tensions

Stimulates the endocrine system

Strengthens and increases the flexibility of spine

Tones up superficial muscles of the back

Relieves pain in the back

Strengthens the abdominal muscles

Effective in curing constipation

Tones up the abdominal viscera

Gives good appetite

Effective for women in toning up their ovaries and uterus

A natural remedy for amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea and
various other utero-ovarine troubles

Who Should Not Do Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana is strictly not recommended for pregnant women.

People suffering from hernia, intestinal tuberculosis or
hyperthyroidism should not perform this asana.